Maryland Public Safety Section 12-702

      (a)      (1)      In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

            (2)      "Commission" means the State Fire Prevention Commission.

            (3)      "NFPA 70" means the most recent edition of the National Electrical Code adopted by the Commission.

            (4)      "NFPA 101" means the most recent edition of the National Life Safety Code adopted by the Commission.

      (b)      (1)      Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, this section applies in Baltimore City.

            (2)      In Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Fire Department shall enforce this section.

            (3)      In Baltimore City, appeals concerning this section shall be made to the Baltimore City fire board.

      (c)      (1)      This subsection applies to:

                  (i)      a public building or structure owned by the State or a subdivision of the State; and

                  (ii)      a hotel, apartment building, lodging house, hospital, nursing home, dormitory, or educational building with:

                        1.      a potential evening occupancy of more than 25 individuals; and

                        2.      at least 4 stories, excluding attics and basements.

            (2)      Each building or structure subject to this subsection shall be equipped with adequate emergency power and lighting in accordance with NFPA 101.

      (d)      The emergency electrical power supply system required by this section may be powered by generators, battery packs, or other similar devices at the discretion of the owner of the building or structure.

      (e)      (1)      The Commission shall administer this section.

            (2)      The Commission shall adopt regulations to enforce this section, including regulations that require:

                  (i)      emergency electrical systems in accordance with NFPA 101, to provide sufficient light in halls, corridors, and stairways during outages or blockages of regular services to facilitate the movement of individuals in the event of an emergency;

                  (ii)      sufficient exit signs that are adequately lighted to guide individuals on the premises;

                  (iii)      sufficient emergency electrical power to operate elevators, electrical facilities in hospital operating rooms, hospital X-ray equipment, and other emergency equipment that are necessary to the proper operation of medical services in hospitals and nursing homes;

                  (iv)      adequate emergency electric lighting in accordance with NFPA 101 in each building for commercial, mercantile, industrial, storage, office, or similar purposes if the building is at least 4 stories, excluding attics and basements, and evening occupancy is more than 25 individuals; and

                  (v)      installation and operation of emergency power and lighting in accordance with NFPA 101 and NFPA 70.

            (3)      (i)      For purposes of paragraph (2)(iii) of this subsection, the Commission shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene to evaluate the requirements to be adopted for the operation of hospitals and nursing homes.

                  (ii)      In making this evaluation, the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene shall consider the size and nature of the particular hospital or nursing home operation.

      (f)      Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the State Fire Marshal shall enforce this section and the regulations adopted by the Commission so that individuals on the premises are reasonably protected in the event of an emergency.

      (g)      A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to the penalties of § 6-601 of this article.